Vivian Awuor was brought up in a poor family. As a child, she participated in CWPFG activities, and they had a strong impact on her life and choices. Defying all odds, she managed to complete her high school education at Ogande Girls and proceeded to join Kisumu Polytechnic for a diploma in Accounting. She graduated in 2021 but has been struggling to acquire a job while remaining in her community. In the meantime, she has survived with small business opportunities, using her cell phone for individual residents’ transactions, selling goods to individuals, etc.
Her commitment to CWPFG has kept her there; she became Director in 2022. During her tenure, the group expanded its activities to include more women and girls.
Through its link with Natalie Andre, Debbie Kashdan, Doris Rosen, K.W. and other American friends who have joined, she has been enabling CWPFG to succeed bit by bit. She is thankful to all our donors and friends for their involvement. As she says, enthusiastically, “This is the home where I belong!”
Kenas Odongo was born in 1982 at a remote village in Nyatike sub county in Migori county. His father had 4 wives with a total of 26 children. His mother was number three and had a total of 8 children.
He started schooling at Othora primary school, completing grade 8 exams in 1995. After passing his exams, he couldn’t proceed to high school immediately but had to stay at home for one full year. He later joined secondary school in 1997 with the support of his American friend Debbie K. and in 2000 he sat for his high school exams.
From 2000 to 2004, Debbie sponsored his diploma course in medical laboratory sciences; he graduated and got a job at Ojele as a medical technologist.
In 2008 he was retrenched with many of his fellow workers. Later, in 2008, he joined Face Nyanza as a community lab technologist and in 2011 he decided to enroll for degrees in one of the universities in Uganda; Debbie assisted him and he graduated in 2014. In 2017 he left working as a medical laboratory technologist and joined Wiser girls which champions less fortunate girls in the society.
In 2019 he left Wiser and joined Oridi girls to continue with his teaching career.
He says: “I have been passionate for the plights of girl child since 1998 when I learnt bitter lessons because I missed joining form 1 due to poverty.
“Were it not for Debbie’s assistance, I would have not made it to school–a lot of thanks to her.”
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Sophy Collins has been in CWPFG for over 5 years now. Her role is to mentor young girls and women on various areas. The positive impact of CWPFG is great to society, and she is proud to be associated with CWPFG. She runs mentorship programs in different areas, and this has boosted the morale of young girls. She teaches women entrepreneurship. Her greatest challenge is that these women do not have capital to start a business due to high rates of poverty in this area.
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Dominic Okongo has worked with CWPFG since 2021, as Counselor. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Certificate as a Primary School teacher. He also is certified in HIV/AIDS instruction.